Sunderland RCA’s first away match of the season was a trip to Marske United.

Marske, like RCA, are unbeaten this season. In the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round, the original tie ended in an epic 4-4 draw at the GER Stadium in a match that swung back and forth. Marske were victorious in the replay, winning by a single Craig Gott strike. Their only Northern League match was at Seaham Red Star, where the visitors recovered from conceding an early goal to win the match 4-1.

RCA followed up wins in the FA Cup and Northern League with a 1-1 draw with Washington on Saturday. Last season Marske won all three of the matches between the sides - both Northern League fixtures and a League Cup Quarter Final at Meadow Park.

RCA reverted back to the side that beat Penrith the previous Tuesday, with Craig Hodgson returning in midfield and Nathan O'Neill taking a place on the bench.

Sunderland RCA’s third home match in a row saw the visit of Washington to Meadow Park for a Northern League fixture.

The very fact that the match was played is thanks to Washington being saved at the end of last season after resigning from the League for this current season. The club has since forged strong links with Washington AFC and continue to play their home matches at the Nissan Sports Complex. It’s great to see clubs like Washington and West Allotment Celtic not only surviving but also still playing at Northern League level.

RCA have had a cracking start to the season - after winning all five pre-season friendlies, the form has continued, winning both competitive matches against Garforth Town in the FA Cup, 3-1, and Penrith in the league, 2-1. Furthermore, it's good to see that the five goals in those two games have been scored by five different players.

Washington, meanwhile, have only played one competitive match so far and were knocked out of the FA Cup last Saturday after a 3-0 home defeat to Dunston UTS. Their scheduled midweek fixture against Whitley Bay was postponed due to Whitley Bay's FA Cup replay with Seaham Red Star.

RCA made one change to the side that beat Penrith in midweek - Craig Hodgson was ruled out with a knee injury and was replaced by Nathan O'Neill. Luke Page moved into midfield to allow O'Neill to play up front.

Following Saturday's excellent 3-1 victory at home to Garforth Town in the FA Cup, Sunderland RCA began their Northern League campaign with a match at home to Penrith. Penrith also had a good win at Frenchfields on Saturday in the FA Cup, beating West Auckland Town 2-1.

RCA made two changes to the side that beat Garforth Town on Saturday - Adam McGuinness returned after serving a one-match suspension and Luke Page made his full debut, replacing Jonathan Davis and James Cassidy, who were both on the bench, and RCA reverted back to a more familiar 4-4-2 formation.

Sunderland RCA welcomed Garforth Town to Meadow Park for the opening match of the season in the Emirates FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round. RCA have gone six years without an FA Cup victory, and Garforth one win in the last four seasons.

With Ross McNab and James Armstrong both injured, and Adam McGuinness serving a one-match suspension for a red card in the Penrith game from last season, RCA went with a back three and wing backs for today's match.

Following the postponement of last Saturday's pre-season friendly with Hartlepool United under 23s due to player availability problems, and the midweek trip to Esh Winning being called off because of the excessive rain, Sunderland RCA were back in action with a final pre-season friendly at home to Pickering Town looking for a fifth win to round off the pre-season positively.

Sunderland RCA’s fourth pre-season friendly in eight days was a short trip to Chester-le-Street Town.

After the disappointment of being relegated last season, Chester-le-Street would no doubt be looking for a quick return to Division One by having a successful season. So a good test to play a Division One side at home, even in a pre-season friendly match.

Just 48 hours after the excellent victory at home to Sunderland AFC under 23s, and Sunderland RCA were back in action with a friendly trip to newly-promoted Jarrow.

Jarrow are now just a few short weeks away from beginning their inaugural season in the Northern League, after winning the Wearside League last season with an impressive 91 points - winning 29 and losing just 5 of their 38 games.

Sunderland RCA’s final match of the season was a home game against Penrith.

Following successive defeats, RCA bounced back emphatically on Saturday with a superb 5-0 victory at Consett. Penrith, meanwhile, were beaten 4-1 at home to Whitley Bay on Saturday, but had a 2-1 win over Dunston UTS in midweek.

Tonight was the third time that the two sides had met this season: Penrith won the FA Cup Extra Preliminary round match on the opening day of the season courtesy of a single goal. But in December, again at Frenchfields, RCA won 2-0 in the league thanks to an own goal and a Liam McBryde strike.

RCA made four changes to the side that won at Consett on Saturday - Neal Bussey returned in goal with Jonathan Carmichael on the bench, Ross McNab replaced the injured Greg Swansbury, and Jonathan Davis and Brad Wilson replaced Craig Hubbard and James Armstrong in midfield.